Rangers 26-yr-old set for demotion as Gerrard fast tracks wonderkid - Ibrox Sources
Matt Polster is set to be demoted in the Rangers full-back pecking order as Steven Gerrard fast tracks Nathan Patterson, Football Insider understands.
The Glasgow giants are keen to offer 18-year-old Patterson a first team pathway as they look to secure him to a long-term contract.
Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that USA international Polster, 26, is in line to make way to allow the academy product the chance to challenge for James Tavernier's position over the coming year.
As reported by Football Insider, the Light Blues are in talks with Patterson over a new three-year deal to replace his current agreement, which expires next summer.
The club's senior and academy coaches have big plans for Patterson, who has been earning rave reviews for his performances at youth-team level this season.
Graeme Murty, the former first-team boss who now manages the development side at Ibrox, claimed this month that the teenager has "all the characteristics you would ascribe to an elite-level full-back.”
Patterson is seen as someone capable of challenging club captain Tavernier for the right-back slot he has nailed down since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2015.
That is likely to lead to Polster slipping further out of first team contention.
The January signing from Chicago Fire has made just four appearances for Rangers since arriving on a free transfer.
Three of those have come this season, at right-back in early-season League Cup and Europa League qualifier clashes, and then a substitute appearance against Hamilton in October.